Hand guard with rigid inserts

ABSTRACT

A protective hand guard, equipped with rigid inserts, with a primary use as a defensive deterrent to attack or assault. The inserts protrude from a fabric covering, which fits around a hand, similarly to a fingerless glove or a mitt. Specifically, the rigid inserts can be positioned either in the knuckle-side or palm-side of the hand, and held in place within pockets of an over covering. The rigid inserts are cushioned at their bases and mounted within the pockets, to provide comfort and absorption of impacts against the inserts. The inserts can be curved to follow the natural contours of the knuckle or palm, as desired.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a glove type of hand guard, equipped with rigid inserts, with a primary use as a defensive deterrent to attack or assault. Specifically, the rigid inserts can be positioned either in the knuckle-side or palm-side of the hand, and held in place within pockets of an over-covering. The rigid inserts are cushioned at their bases, to provide comfort and absorption of impacts against the inserts.

BACKGROUND

Defense from personal, physical attack is vital for the safety of any persons who must subject themselves to situations that place them in potential harm from assailants. Chemical deterrents, such as mace or pepper spray may only infuriate an assailant, and firearms or other weapons, can be difficult to access at a moments notice, and further escalate a confrontation to violence. Martial arts type of arm guards and shields might be useful in defensive situations, but these guards are typically for defending against attacks alone. Additionally, martial arts or other ‘open-handed’ defense techniques, require training and strength that many persons lack. A new and simple system for a protective hand guard is needed that better provides a counter attacking measure without the need for extensive training, to provide an immediate defensive protection against would-be assailants.

A hand guard specially suited for a defensive deterrent and countermeasure in the event of a hand-to-hand assault is needed that dampens impact force, while providing protection to the user in an unobtrusive form. Such a hand guard must be especially suited for use by women or any other persons in need of an easy, quick and simple deterrent to assault, without requiring an overpowering strength, simply and efficiently.

The present invention addresses these deficiencies in prior guards, and meets these needs. Furthermore, the aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from consideration of the following figures and description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a hand guard according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of a hand guard according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of a hand guard according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a portion of a rigid insert of a hand guard according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectioned view of a rigid insert of a hand guard along line 5-5 of FIG. 4, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a protective hand guard according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Reference characters included in the above drawings indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, as discussed herein. The description herein illustrates one preferred embodiment of the invention, in one form, and the description herein is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. It should be understood that the above listed figures are not necessarily to scale and that the embodiments are sometimes illustrated by fragmentary views, graphic symbols, diagrammatic or schematic representations, and phantom lines. Details that are not necessary for an understanding of the present invention by one skilled in the technology of the invention, or render other details difficult to perceive, may have been omitted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A hand guard for use as a defensive protection is shown in FIGS. 1 through 6. The hand guard 15 is specially suited for a defensive deterrent and countermeasure in the event of a hand-to-hand assault. The hand guard dampens impact force, while providing protection to the user in an unobtrusive form. The protective hand guard of the present invention is especially suited for use by women or any other persons in need of an easy, quick and simple deterrent to assault, without requiring an overpowering strength.

In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the hand guard 15 includes a cover 17 formed from of a flexible material 16, shaped to fit on a hand 20 of a user. The hand includes fingers 33, and a thumb 34, with a first or index finger 33A, opposed to the thumb. The hand also has a palm side 35 with a palm pad or ‘palm heel’ 36, which is near the wrist 31. The palm side of the hand is opposed to a backside 38, which includes a knuckle ridge 39.

The flexible material 16 of the cover 17 may be any conventional and preferably breathable glove material, such as a leather, cotton fabric, or rubberized material. Most preferably, a breathable and dimpled fabric is utilized for the cover, as typified by the dimpled, “Clarino” brand of synthetic leather glove material. The cover includes a palm panel 17P, for covering the palm side 35 of the hand 20, and a knuckle panel 17K, for covering the backside 38 of the hand.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, the cover 17 of the hand guard 15 preferably includes a flap 18 for the easy fitting and removal of the cover from the hand 20 of the user. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the flap can be a first flap 18A that fits over a second flap 18B. The two flaps are preferably equipped with an adhere-able closure 40. A velcro type of closure is preferred for quick and easy placement and removal of the hand guard onto the hand, with the first flap adhere-able to the second flap in fitting on the hand of the user. The first flap is preferably an extension of the palm panel 17P of the cover, and the second flap is preferably an extension of the knuckle panel 17K of the cover. Other known closures, such as zippers, clips, adhesive or simply an elastic connection between the palm panel and the knuckle panel are considered as alternative closure and fitting systems for the hand guard.

Preferably, the cover 17 of the hand guard 15 is ‘fingerless,’ as shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, To stay in place on the hand 20 of the user, the cover in the fingerless embodiment, preferably includes a connector strip 24 positioned approximately between the index finger 33A and the thumb. The connector strip connects the palm panel 17P to the knuckle panel 17K of the cover.

The term “approximately” is used herein to refer to a range of values or relative orientations, understood by a person skilled in the pertinent field or skill, as being substantially equivalent to the herein stated values in achieving the desired results, a range typical to the accuracy and precision of conventional tooling, instrumentation or techniques, or a functionally equivalent range of features that produce equivalent results to those described herein.

As shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, a rigid insert 22 is incorporated into the hand guard 15. The rigid insert includes an exposed ridge bar 25 mounted upon, or as preferred, integral to a base plate 26, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The exposed ridge bar may be referred to simply as the ‘bar,’ and the rigid insert may be simply referred to simply as the ‘insert.’ The rigid insert is positioned within the cover, and abuts to the hand 20 of the user, and is positioned between the fingers 33 and the wrist 31 of the user's hand.

The exposed ridge bar 25 of the rigid insert 22 extends from the base plate 26, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, and the rigid insert includes a base cushion 27 adhered to the base plate, preferably with the aid of a strong layer of plate adhesive 30A. The plate adhesive can be any adhesive for adhering the materials of the base plate and the base cushion, as selected by those skilled in adhesive technologies. The base cushion is positionable between the base plate and the hand 20, and most preferably the base cushion is glued to the base plate of the rigid insert. The base cushion is most preferably a high density type of closed cell foam material, selected to provide a maximum of cushioning and absorption of impact to the rigid insert, at a minimum of total thickness. A most preferred base cushion is neoprene, cut and adhered to the base plate as shown in FIG. 4.

The exposed ridge bar 25 of the rigid insert 22 is outwardly extendable from the hand 20 when the cover is fitted on the hand of the user. The bar is preferably formed from a light and easily machined metal, such as an aluminum alloy. Other materials including metals, composites and plastics are considered for forming the bar, such as a titanium, a carbon fiber, or a high impact poly-vinyl-chloride (PVC) as typified by “Vintec” brand of Type II PVC.

The cover 17 of the hand guard 15 includes a bar slot 28 that receives the bar 25 of the rigid insert 22. The base plate 26 of the insert is positioned beneath the cover, and the exposed ridge bar extends or protrudes through the ridge slot of the cover, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The bar slot may be located on the palm panel 17P of the cover, the knuckle panel 17K of the cover, or both.

When positioning the rigid insert 22 on the palm side 35 of the user's hand 20, the bar slot 28 is a palm slot 28P, and receives a palm insert 22P. Most preferably, the palm insert is positioned proximate to the palm at the palm heel 36 of the user's palm, as shown in FIG. 2. With the rigid insert in the palm side position, proximate the palm heel, the hand guard can be utilized as a defensive blocking shield against an attacker, or as an offensive striking tool or weapon. Additionally, with the base plate 26 set over the palm of the user's hand, the palm comfortably supports the base cushion 27 of the rigid insert.

Alternatively, when positioning the rigid insert 22 on the back or knuckle side 38 of the user's hand 20, the bar slot 28 is a knuckle slot 28K, and receives a knuckle insert 22K. Most preferably, the knuckle insert is positioned proximate to the knuckle ridge 39, as shown in FIG. 1. With the rigid insert in the knuckle side position, proximate to the knuckle ridge, the hand guard can also be utilized as a defensive, blocking shield against an attacker, or as an offensive striking tool or weapon. Additionally, with the base plate 26 set over the knuckle ridge of the user's hand, the backside of the hand comfortably supports the base cushion 27 of the rigid insert.

In a preferred embodiment of the hand guard 15, the rigid insert 22 is curved to match the natural curvature of the hand 20 of the user. As shown in FIG. 1, the knuckle insert 22K can include a convex, or outward curvature. The knuckle insert curvature most preferably follows the natural curve of the typical user's knuckle ridge 39.

Likewise, in another alternative, the palm insert 22P may also be curved with either a convex or a concave curvature, as desired. However, because the typical user's palm heel 36 is approximately flat, the palm insert is most preferably straight and without curvature, as shown in FIG. 4.

To firmly contain and immobilize the rigid insert within the cover 17 of the hand guard 15 without shifting or movement during use, the cover preferably includes a base pocket 29, as shown in FIG. 5. The base pocket is sized to receive the base plate 26 and the base cushion 27 of the rigid insert, and is most preferably formed of the same flexible material 16 as the cover. A layer of a pocket adhesive 30B is preferably employed to adhere the base cushion to a pocket base layer 17B, as shown in FIG. 5. The pocket adhesive can be any adhesive for adhering the materials of the base plate cushion and the pocket base layer, as selected by those skilled in adhesive technologies. The palm insert 22P most preferably fits within a palm pocket 29P, and the knuckle insert 22K most preferably fits within a knuckle pocket 29K. A With the rigid insert held within the base pocket, the exposed ridge bar protrudes through the respective bar slot 28 in the cover of the hand guard. Specifically, with the palm insert held within the palm pocket, the exposed ridge bar protrudes through the palm slot 28P, as shown in FIG. 2. Likewise, with the knuckle insert held within the knuckle pocket, the exposed ridge bar protrudes through the knuckle slot 28K, as shown in FIG. 1.

When wearing the hand guard 15 there is immediate access to a defensive deterrent from attack, as opposed to most other deterrents, which require a moment for the user to access or arm. The hand guard is easily transported and can be quickly slipped on, and worn without being obtrusive. Importantly, the hand guard of the present invention provides for an immediate defense from an attacker, thereby increasing the user's chances to safely escape and seek help and acting as a strong, additional deterrent for any would-be attacker.

Having now described my invention, to those persons skilled in the art to which it pertains, it may become apparent that the need to make modifications without deviating from the intention of the design as defined by the appended claims. 

1. A hand guard including: a cover of a flexible material, shaped to fit on the hand of a user, the cover having a bar slot; a rigid insert having an exposed ridge bar and a base plate, the exposed ridge bar extended from the base plate, the base plate mounted beneath the cover and the exposed ridge bar extended through the ridge slot of the cover; and the rigid insert includes a base cushion adhered to the base plate, the base cushion positionable between the base plate and the hand, and the exposed ridge bar outwardly extended from the hand when the cover is fitted on the hand of the user.
 2. The hand guard of claim 1, wherein the cover is fingerless.
 3. The hand guard of claim 1, wherein the rigid insert is curved to match the natural curve of the hand of the user.
 4. The hand guard of claim 1, wherein: the cover includes a first flap and a second flap, and the first flap adhere-able to the second flap in fitting on the hand of the user.
 5. The hand guard of claim 1, wherein: the cover includes a base pocket, with the base plate and base cushion of the rigid insert received into the base pocket.
 6. The hand guard of claim 1, wherein the hand of the user includes a palm heel, and the rigid insert is positioned within the cover, proximate to the heel of the user's palm.
 7. The hand guard of claim 1, wherein the hand of the user includes a backside, with a knuckle ridge and a wrist, and the rigid insert is positioned within the cover, proximate to the backside of the user's hand, between the knuckle ridge and the wrist of the user's hand.
 8. A hand guard including: a cover of a flexible material, shaped to fit on the hand of a user, the cover having a bar slot; a rigid insert having an exposed ridge bar and a base plate, the exposed ridge bar extended from the base plate, the base plate mounted beneath the cover within a base pocket, the base plate and base cushion of the rigid insert received into the base pocket, and the exposed ridge bar extended through the ridge slot of the cover; and the rigid insert includes a base cushion adhered to the base plate, the base cushion positionable between the base plate and the hand, the base cushion adhered to the base pocket, and the exposed ridge bar outwardly extended from the hand when the cover is fitted on the hand of the user.
 9. The hand guard of claim 8, wherein the cover is fingerless.
 10. The hand guard of claim 8, wherein the rigid insert is curved to match the natural curve of the hand of the user.
 11. The hand guard of claim 8, wherein: the cover includes a first flap and a second flap, and the first flap adhere-able to the second flap in fitting on the hand of the user.
 12. The hand guard of claim 8, wherein: the cover includes a base pocket, with the base plate and base cushion of the rigid insert received into the base pocket.
 13. The hand guard of claim 8, wherein the hand of the user includes a palm heel, and the rigid insert is positioned within the cover, proximate to the heel of the user's palm.
 14. The hand guard of claim 8, wherein the hand of the user includes a backside, with a knuckle ridge and a wrist, and the rigid insert is positioned within the cover, proximate to the backside of the user's hand, between the knuckle ridge and the wrist of the user's hand. 